Chopping-block.



No. 63|,894. Patented Aug. 29, |899. W.4 LINKENBACH. CHDPPING BLOCK.

(Applicqtion led Apr. 28, 1899A (No Model.)

www @7V/iwf# UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JWILLIAM LINKENBACH, OF SHELBYVILLE, INDIANA.

CHOPPlNG-BLOCK.

sPEcIFIcAr'IoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 631,894, dated August 29, 1899. Ippiicaion fina 1pm/2s, 1899. sean No. 714,827. ci@ man To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM LINKENBACH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Shelbyville, Shelby county, State of Indiana, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Chopping-Blocks; and my preferred manner of carrying out the invention is set forth in the following full, clear, and exact description,terminating with claims particularly specifying the novelty.

rllhis invention relates to butchering, and Inore especially to that class of devices therein known as chopping-blocks, and the object of the same is to produce an attachment adapted to form part of a cabinet or the like having a block on which meat can be chopped, but which while not in use can be turned up out of sight, out of the way, and out of the reach of flies and other insects.

To this end the invention consists of a casing, a leaf connected therewith by a peculiar hinge and having cushioned feet, a choppingblock mounted on said leaf, and an upright back for the casing, all as hereinafter more fully described and claimed and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a general perspective view. of a cabinet with my attachment forming part thereof and showing the leaf as closed. Fig.V

2 is avertical section of the attachment as applied to the back of a table or the like, the leaf being open. Fig. 3 is a detail of one of the hinges. Fig. 4. is a detail of one of the cushions.

In the said drawings, T is a table, B an upright back, and D a series of drawers, all forming part of a cabinet of which my invention may constitute a part, or T designates a counter against the back of which my attachment is secured.

It will be obvious from the description below that the attachment can be fastened against the back of any counter, table, or the like, the only essentials being a sufcientsu pport for the back of the attachment and a fiat surface upon which its leaf may-rest when in use.

Of itself the attachment comprises an upright back piece l, a casing consisting of two side pieces 2, a leaf 3, hinged at its lower end between the front edges of said side pieces, and a block 4, secured upon the upper face of the leaf, which becomes the inner face thereof when the leaf is turned upward. The front edges of the side pieces are Vpreferably inclined to the rear toward their upper ends,

so that when the leaf is turned upward the weight of itself and the block in passing over the hinges will cause the leaf to remain closed. Within the casing and within its back and sides may be hooks or shelves for the reception of carving instruments or the like. The whole may be ornamented, if desired, and of the necessary sizes, proportions, and materials. l

In applying this attachment to a table or the like the back piece 1, which extends considerably below the side pieces 2, is secured against the rear of the table, as seen in Fig. 2, so that the lower edges of the side pieces rest upon the face of the table and extend forward some distance from the rear edge thereof. Obviously the leaf 3 will be of about such length that when let down, as shown in this view, the front edge will be about flush with that of the table.

It will be understood that although I have shown a table it might be a counter or the like. The attachment therefore constitutes an article of manufacture which may be made and sold to butchers, plied to their counters or tables.

The face of the leaf has a suitable handle 10, by which it may be let down. To the face of theV leaf are also attached a number of cushions 11, which may be of leather, each with a screw l2 passing throughit, as seen in Fig. 4. These cushions are adapted and intended to lie upon the face ofthe table or counter when the leaf is let down, so that the carving, pounding, or chopping done on the block will no t dent or disiigure the surface of the table.

An important feature of myinvention consists in the special form of hinge I employ, as best seen in Fig. 3. This hinge consists of two members, preferably of metal, let into and secured to the meeting faces of the side pieces 2 and the leaf 3. The member'20 is secured to the edge of the leaf 3 and carries a projecting pin 2l, while the member 22 is let into the side of the casing and has an upright slot 23, in which said pin fits loosely. The two pins are of course in true alinement,

&c., and' by them ap- IOO f scribed.

and the leaf can be let down at any time in the manner above described. Should theseveral cushions not accurately contact with the table-top through the warping of thelatter or for any other reason, it will be clear that the act of chopping would cau-Se the block andleaf to dance somewhat, and in order that its movement will not break or loosen the hinges (especially if the latter are of casting) l employ the specific construction just de- It is obvious that the slotted member will permit the rise and fall of the pins to a limited extent, while preventing the disconnection of the leaf, and this triling lost motion effects the end in view.

The uses and advantages of this device are thought to'be obvious. When built in cabinet'form, the drawers may contain anything desired by the housekeeper; but in all forms theattachment itself will contain the Cleaver and such other implements as are used for chopping 'and carving meat. Itis well known thatY meat-blocks soon become soiled, and in a busy store it is not always convenient to clean the block and wipe the cleaver after each using.y With my improvement the operator has but to hang up his tool or tools'inside the casing and raise the leaf 3, when everything unsigh tly is hidden from view' and out of the reach of flies and the like.

What I claim as new isl. Asan article of manufacture, the herein'- ttable-top anddto extend part way thereover, 'their' front edges being' inclined to the rear from their lower to their upper ends, a leaf .hinged between said sides near their lower ends and adaptedwhen lowered to rest upon the table-top and when raised to pass over Ithe hinge-line and close the casing, cushions -on the outer face of said leaf, and a chopping-block secured to its inner face, all as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with a table or the like, and a casing'attachedtheretoand comprising a back andl two side pieces; of a leaachopping-block fast on its upper face, a number of cushions on its lower face adaptedV to rest on the table, and hinges" each comprising a pin member in the edge of the leaf and aseoond` member in the adjacent side piece having an upright'slot' loosely receiving said pin, all as and for the purposeset forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereun'tojsubscribed my signatur'ethis 22d'day of April, A. D. 1899.

WILLIAM LIN KEN BACH. VVitn esse's:

FRANK BUEscHER, OHAs. W. WILLIAMS. 

